I've read the book. Martin was one of the big three that ruled fantasy for a while - Jordan, Goodkind and Martin. Martin hit writers block, and there hasn't been a book in this series in five years or so. Goodkind retired from Fantasy, Jordan died.

Word of warning, the Martin books are not happy books. They make the Soprano's look like the Mickey Mouse club.

I've read the book. Martin was one of the big three that ruled fantasy for a while - Jordan, Goodkind and Martin. Martin hit writers block, and there hasn't been a book in this series in five years or so. Goodkind retired from Fantasy, Jordan died.

Word of warning, the Martin books are not happy books. They make the Soprano's look like the Mickey Mouse club.

I think I am going to switch back to HBO for this. Was going to wait until the summer for True Blood and Entourage but this has peaked my interest. I like the HBO / Showtime series so much more then the censored channels.

I've heard it's one of the most well-written fantasy series out there. I like Sean Bean too, even if he's looking chubby in this.

I've read 'em. If you are at all a fantasy fan, they are a must read. It is a little frustrating that he kinda stalled out for a while, but the next book is due in July, so that is the good news. The storyline and world he has created are very well fleshed out and detailed, and the character arcs intersect in clever and surprising ways.

The style of the books is interesting as well. Each chapter follows one character, so sometimes you get really into what's going on with one character, but you don't get back to their story for several chapters. Other times, you get to see the same event from several different perspectives, gaining a more complete picture. It is a pretty complex series, and remembering all of the characters can be challenging at times. Overall, they are engrossing books, and I'm excited to see what they do with the series.

Think very adult mafia style power contest set in middle ages fantasy setting. The books were extremely interesting, but Martin lost his way toward the end and never complete the epic series he started.

Martin kind of wrote himself in a corner (by his own admission). I would guess that the HBO contract included some varient of "you must finish the books" which is why he is getting back to it by now.

He's a great writer - probably the most natural writer of the old big three. I do have to say that the new generation of fantasy writers - In particular Patrick Rothfuss's unbeliavably great series The Name of the Wind, and Brandon Sanderson (who took over the Wheel of Time books from Jordan) are better authors I think then any of the three.

(If you haven't read The Name of the Wind, you need to. It's Tolkein and C.S. Lewis good).

Martin kind of wrote himself in a corner (by his own admission). I would guess that the HBO contract included some varient of "you must finish the books" which is why he is getting back to it by now.

He's a great writer - probably the most natural writer of the old big three. I do have to say that the new generation of fantasy writers - In particular Patrick Rothfuss's unbeliavably great series The Name of the Wind, and Brandon Sanderson (who took over the Wheel of Time books from Jordan) are better authors I think then any of the three.

(If you haven't read The Name of the Wind, you need to. It's Tolkein and C.S. Lewis good).

Rothfuss is outstanding writer, no matter what genre you favor. His new books is even better then The Name of Wind.

It's very well written, and I recommend it. I'm not much for all that epic fantasy stuff, but so many friends recommended this one as "the best," I thought I'd try it with the series coming up. It reads well and was enjoyable.

wow. After hearing about everyones positive reviews, I decided to check the books out. Every copy in the Denver area (except for the bookmobile, and I don't know if I can just show up at one of the elementary school locations to check one out there) is either checked out or on hold.

its on here the day after the usa...anyone watch boardwalk empire (10/10) or spartacus series(100/10)

I got board of Board Walk Empire. Made it about 6 or 7 episodes in and decided to pack it up. Spartacus was awesome. That just made me think of a great name for whom ever put his new name up for debate lately in a thread. Jupiter's Cock